Tunnel driving apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tunnel-driving apparatus with two individually-braceable support assemblies each composed of two arcuate-shaped roof support members extending laterally of the tunnel and supported by inclined hydraulic props which bear on two floor rails extending longitudinally of the tunnel. Further girders extend parallel to the floor rails and serve to interconnect the roof support members of each assembly; the girders of the assemblies being arranged in alternation around the roof of the tunnel. The floor rails of the assemblies are spaced apart with each of the floor rails of one assembly located closely adjacent one of the floor rails of the other assembly. A shifting ram is operable to effect relative movement between the assemblies. The roof support members of the assemblies are arranged with each of the members of one assembly alongside one of the members of the other assembly. A roof shield composed of a series of planks extending parallel to the floor rails is supported for sliding by guide elements on the roof support members. These guide elements prevent the planks from becoming detached from the roof support members and piston and cylinder units are provided for slidably moving the planks in relation to the assemblies.

United States Patent Lobbe Feb. 18, 1975 TUNNEL DRIVING APPARATUS Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro [75] Inventor: Armin Uibbe gergkobemdem Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thompson, Birch, Gauthier Germany & Samuels [73] Assignees: Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westfalia,

Wethmar bei Lunen; Gewerkschaft [57] ABSTRACT Eisenhutte westfalia, w tf li A tunnel-driving apparatus with two individuallyboth of, Germany braceable support assemblies each composed of two arcuate-shaped roof support members extending laterl l Fllfidi 11, 1973 ally of the tunnel and supported by inclined hydraulic [2]] Appl 405,510 props which bear on two floor rails extending longitudinally of the tunnel. Further girders extend parallel to the floor rails and serve to interconnect the roof sup- Foreign Apphcatlon Prlomy Data port members of each assembly; the girders of the as- Oct. 13, 1972 Germany 2250296 semblies being arranged in alternation around the roof of the tunnel. The floor rails of the assemblies are {52] [1.8. CI. 61/85, 61/45 D spaced apart with each of the flo r r ils f one assem- [51] Int. Cl. E0lg 3/00 bly located closely adjacent one of the floor rails of Field Of Search 45 D, 45 the other assembly. A shifting ram is operable to effect relative movement between the assemblies. The [56] References Cited roof support members of the assemblies are arranged UNITED STATES TENTS with each of the members of one assembly alongside 1275 910 8/1918 Hamilton 6l/85 of members of the other assembly A roof 15:75 2/1963 Joseph H shield composed of a series of planks extending paral- 3 434 339 3/19 9 Grisehuch 1/45 D x lel to the floor rails is supported for sliding by guide 3,621,66l 10/197] Allen 61/45 D elements on the root support members. These guide elements prevent the planks from becoming detached FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS from the roof support members and piston and cylin- Germany v D der units are provided for moving the in relation to the assemblies.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures l -ll 3 '2s 2s 28 23 m OE SHEET 3 BF 4 PMENTED FEB 3 83975 Pmmmm 8% 3.866.426

SHEET am 4 14 ii: I FlG.l.u 12 J17 12 L 17 l L 1 F|G.4b G" U U TUNNEL DRIVING APPARATUS BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving underground cavities such as tunnels, roadways and the like and hereinafter referred to as tunneldriving apparatus.

In the construction of tunnels it is known to use a shield composed of a plurality of elongate elements or planks which are disposed side-byside to screen off the roof of the tunnel as the tunnel is being advanced. These elongate elements are moved up collectively or individually in accordance with the progress of driving the tunnel which is accomplished by a cutting head or by some other equipment operating beneath the shield.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved form of a tunnel driving apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a tunnel driving apparatus comprising relatively movable individually braceable support assemblies each support assembly being composed of roof support members and floor beams interconnected by telescopic props, the roof support members extending, in use, across the tunnel and the floor rails extending, in use, along the tunnel, means for effecting relative movement between the assemblies in the direction of advancement of the tunnel, a shield composed of a plurality of elongate elements extending, in use, along the tunnel and carried by the roof support members of the assemblies, guide means for permitting the elongate elements to move longitudinally whilst being retained on the roof support members and means for moving the elements in the direction of advancement of the tunnel.

Normally the apparatus would work in conjunction with a cutting head or the like in driving a tunnel and the rear end of the tunnel would be supported by tubular sections, usually of concrete, installed end-to-end.

The roof support members may each be of arcuate shape with a radius of curvature in conformity with that of the roof of the tunnel which is driven. Preferably some form of guide means is provided for guiding the elongate elements for said slidable movement and for retaining the elements on the roof support members. Such a guide means can be constructed form hook-like guide elements on the support members which engage over flanges formed at the sides of the elongate elements.

Preferably two support assemblies are provided each having two arcuate roof support members and two floor rails interconnected by inclined props. The floor rails of each assembly are spaced apart laterally of the tunnel and its roof support members are spaced apart longitudinally of the tunnel with each floor rail of one assembly being disposed alongside one of the floor rails of the other assembly and with each support member of one assembly being disposed alongside one of the support members of the other assembly. Further girders can be used to interconnect the roof support members of each assembly and these girders may be arranged one between another. The components of the support assemblies are thus combined in a positional sense so that the assemblies form a composite structure.

The elongate elements of the shield thus rest on four roof support members and the aforesaid guide means ensures that the elements are locked to the members so as to move therewith when the props are extended or retracted, while sliding of the elements is permitted along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tunnel. Normally the roof support members would be lowered when the props retract but it is feasible to reverse this so that instead the floor rails are raised as the props retract.

The floor rails of the assemblies are preferably interconnected by means of shifting rams and further rams may also be disposed between the roof support members of the assemblies. These rams can then he actuated to effect relative movement between the asscm blies and can additionally effect guidance during the shifting operation.

In order to effect movement of the elongate elements it is desirable to provide a piston and cylinder unit for each element. This unit can then be connected between the element in question and one of the roof support members.

The invention may be understood more readily and various other features of the invention may become apparent from consideration of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic part-sectional end view of an apparatus made in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the apparatus, the view being taken along the line IIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus with certain parts omitted for the sake of clarity; and

FIGS. 4a to 4c are diagrammatic representations of part of the apparatus depicting successive stages in the advancing operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, the apparatus is composed of two identical braceable support assemblies each constructed from two arcuate-shaped roof support members connected with hydraulically operated telescopic props to floor beams spaced apart transversely of the tunnel being driven. More particularly, a first support assembly has two arcuate roofengaging members 10, 11 supported by props l2 bearing on floor beams 13 whilst a second assembly has two arcuate roof-engaging members l5, 16 supported by props 17 on floor beams 19. As can be seen in FIG. I, the props l2, 17 all assume an inclined position. Each prop l2, 17 is connected to the associated roof support members 10, ll, l5, l6 and floor beams l3, 19 with connections, such as ball-and-socket type joints, permitting a certain degree of mobility between these parts. Each roof support member 10, ll, 15, 16 has a radius of curvature commensurate with that of the tunnel roof and extends almost down to the floor of the tunnel. Also as shown in FIG. 2 each member 10, ll, 15, I6 is formed as a hollow structure such as a box girder. The members 10, l l of the first assembly are interconnected by means of a series of members 14 extending longitudinally of the tunnel. Similarly the members l5, 16 of the second assembly are also interconnected by means of a series of members 18 extending longitudinally of the tunnel. The members l4, 18 are in the form of conventional I-shaped girders as shown in FIG. 1.

The two support assemblies are so arranged that the longitudinal members 14 ofthe first assembly areinterposed with the longitudinal members 18 of the second assembly and vice versa as depicted in FIG. 1. Also, as represented in FIG. 3, the roof support members 10, 11 of the first assembly are disposed, respectively, adjacent the roof support members 15, 16 of the second assembly so that each roof support member lies alongside a corresponding roof support member of the other assembly. In a similar manner, each of the floor rails 13 of the first assembly is located alongside one of the floor rails 19 of the second assembly.

Means is provided to effect advancement of the support assemblies in the direction in which the tunnel is to be driven (arrow V in FIG. 3). This advancement means is basically in the form of hydraulic rams 20 which, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, are each connected between the adjacent floor rails 13, 19 of the assemblies. Each ram 20, which additionally serves to ensure that the beams 13, 19 are guided to maintain their mutual parallelism, has a central cylinder attached to one of the associated beams 13, 19 and a piston rod 21 which projects from both ends of the cylinder and is attached at each end to the other of the beams 19, 13. In this construction further rams 22 are operably disposed between the innermost roof support members 11, and assist the rams in effecting advancement of the assemblies. These further rams 22, of which there are six in the illustrated embodiment, are uniformly distributed around the members 11, 15.

A screen or shield composed of a series of elongate elements in the form of cutter planks 23 or strips are supported on the members 10, 11, 15, 16 to contact the roof of the tunnel. Each plank 23 has a cutting edge 24' at its forward end and is guided for movement longitudinally whilst restrained from moving away from the members 10, 11, 15 and 16. More particularly, as shown in FIG. 1, the support members 10, ll, l5, 16 are each provided with hook-like guide elements 24 on its upper side. The planks 23 are provided with laterally-extending flanges 25 and the elements 24 project over these flanges 25 to allow the planks 23 to slide longitudinally whilst being retained on the members 10, l l, l5, 16. In addition, the planks 23 are provided with inclined skirts 26 at their sides. These skirts 26 incline outwardly in a direction towards the support members 10, 11, 15, and 16 and project over the guide elements 24. The side portions 27 of the skirts 26 of adjacent planks 23 are shaped in a complementary manner to extend over one another and act as a further guiding and retaining means.

As shown in FIG. 2 a hydraulic piston and cylinder unit 28 is located on the underside of each plank 23 so as to be effectively accommodated within the plank 23. Each of these units 28 has its cylinder connected to a thrust linkage 29 which bears on the support member 11 and its piston rod 30 pivotably connected to a bracket 32 affixed to the underside of the associated plank 23. In this way, each plank 23 can be selectively advanced by operation of the associated unit 28.

The operation of the apparatus will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 4a to 40. Assuming initially that the members l0, l1, l5 and 16 are braced by the props l2, 17 the planks 23 are advanced in the direction of arrow V (FIG. 3) either sequentially or collectively by means of the units 28. As will be recalled from the foregoing the planks 23 are guided for longitudinal sliding over the members 10, 11, 15 and 16. When the planks 23 have been advanced to a predetermined extent, usually about 500 mm, as represented in FIG. 4a, the support assemblies are advanced in turn. To this end the props 12, for example, are rclieved of load and partly retracted and the rams 20, 22 are operated so that the first support assembly is advanced to the position represented in FIG. 4b. During the advancement of the first assembly, the props I7 remain fully braced so that the second assembly forms an abutment for the thrust forces of the rams 20, 22. After the first assembly has been advanced (FIG. 4b) the props 12 are re-set to brace the support members 10, l 1 against the roof and the props 17 are conversely relieved. The rams 20, 22 are then operated, by charging the pressure fluid in the opposite sense to before, to draw up the second assembly to the position shown in FIG. 40. The material at the working face of the tunnel would normally be cut away and removed by ancilliary equipment, such as a cutting head, which forms no part of the present invention as such. As the tunnel advances the rear end of the tunnel can be supported by installing tubes of concrete in known manner so that the apparatus only operates at the forward end of the tunnel.

In a modified construction, instead of lowering the members 10, 11 or 15, 16 from the roof before shifting, the floor beams 13 or 19 can be raised from the floor of the tunnel. This necessitates a modified form for the props 12, 17 so that effectively these are inverted, at least in an operative sense and also appropriate vertical guidance and mobility for the rams 20 is required. Such guidance and mobility can be achieved for example by providing vertically-oriented guideways as connections between the rams 20 and the floor beams 13, 19.

I claim:

1. A tunnel driving apparatus comprising:

A. a plurality of roof support assemblies, each assembly having:

a. a front and a rear roof support member, each member extending across the tunnel;

b. longitudinally extending interconnecting members attached between the front and rear support members;

0. floor rails extending along the tunnel;

d. slidable ram props extending upwardly from the floor rails to the roof support members;

e. the front and rear roof support members of one roof support assembly being interspersed between the front and rear roof support members of another roof support assembly; and

f. means for effecting relative movement between the roof support assemblies in the direction of advancement of the tunnel;

B. a shield including a plurality of elongate elements extending along the tunnel and slidably carried by the roof support members;

C. means for guiding the elongate elements longitudinally on the roof support members; and

D. means for moving the elongate elements in the direction of advancement of the tunnel.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the roof support members is of arcuate shape with a radius of curvature in conformity with that of the roof of the tunnel which is driven.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ram props of each assembly are operable so that when retracted the roof support members ofthe assembly are lowered from the roof.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ram props of each assembly are operable so that when retracted the floor rails of the assembly are raised from the floor.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for effecting relative movement between the support assemblies comprises hydraulic rams connected between the floor rails of the assemblies.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each support assembly has two floor rails spaced apart transversely of the tunnel which is driven, each of the floor rails of a first assembly being disposed alongside one of the floor rails of a second assembly and being connected thereto with one of said rams.

7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for effecting relative movement between the support assemblies additionally comprises further rams interconnected between at least some of the roof support members of the assemblies.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each support assembly has two roof support members spaced apart longitudinally of the tunnel which is being driven, each of the support members ofa first assembly being disposed alongside one of the support members of a second assembly.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each elongate element of the shield has a cutting edge at its forward end.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each elongate element of the shield is provided with laterally-extending flanges at the sides and the guide means includes hook-like guide elements provided on at least some of the roof support members and projecting over the flanges of the elongate elements.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each elongate element of the shield has skirts at the sides which incline outwardly in a direction towards the roof support members, the adjacent skirts of adjacent elements projecting over the guide elements and engaging on one another.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for effecting movement of the elongate elements of the shield includes hydraulic piston and cylinder units each provided on one of the elongate elements, each piston and cylinder unit being operably connected between the associated element and one of the roof support members of the assembly. 

1. A tunnel driving apparatus comprising: A. a plurality of roof support assemblies, each assembly having: a. a front and a rear roof support member, each member extending across the tunnel; b. longitudinally extending interconnecting members attached between the front and rear support members; c. floor rails extending along the tunnel; d. slidable ram props extending upwardly from the floor rails to the roof support members; e. the front and rear roof support members of one roof support assembly being interspersed between the front and rear roof support members of another roof support assembly; and f. means for effecting relative movement between the roof support assemblies in the direction of advancement of the tunnel; B. a shield including a plurality of elongate elements extending along the tunnel and slidably carried by the roof support members; C. means for guiding the elongate elements longitudinally on the roof support members; and D. means for moving the elongate elements in the direction of advancement of the tunnel.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the roof support members is of arcuate shape with a radius of curvature in conformity with that of the roof of the tunnel which is driven.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ram props of each assembly are operable so that when retracted the roof support members of the assembly are lowered from the roof.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ram props of each assembly are operable so that when retracted the floor rails of the assembly are raised from the floor.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for effecting relative movement between the support assemblies comprises hydraulic rams connected between the floor rails of the assemblies.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each support assembly has two floor rails spaced apart transversely of the tunnel which is driven, each of the floor rails of a first assembly being disposed alongside one of the floor rails of a second assembly and being connected thereto with one of saId rams.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the means for effecting relative movement between the support assemblies additionally comprises further rams interconnected between at least some of the roof support members of the assemblies.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each support assembly has two roof support members spaced apart longitudinally of the tunnel which is being driven, each of the support members of a first assembly being disposed alongside one of the support members of a second assembly.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each elongate element of the shield has a cutting edge at its forward end.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each elongate element of the shield is provided with laterally-extending flanges at the sides and the guide means includes hook-like guide elements provided on at least some of the roof support members and projecting over the flanges of the elongate elements.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each elongate element of the shield has skirts at the sides which incline outwardly in a direction towards the roof support members, the adjacent skirts of adjacent elements projecting over the guide elements and engaging on one another.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for effecting movement of the elongate elements of the shield includes hydraulic piston and cylinder units each provided on one of the elongate elements, each piston and cylinder unit being operably connected between the associated element and one of the roof support members of the assembly. 